tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41189637324731144922024-03-21T18:49:18.667-05:00The Weight of ChangeWhile most may start a blog while in the middle of their weight loss journey, I'm starting this blog after successfully losing weight. So this is a reflective journey as I am still trying to win the mental changes that come with weight loss.Amy Hammhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10437148391771649438noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4118963732473114492.post-23009501593395147092012-03-29T20:10:00.000-05:002012-03-29T20:10:29.934-05:00Hard not to regret...Okay - almost 18 months after recongizing success in weightloss - I still struggle on a daily basis with regret. It's the one piece that's keeping me from completely moving forward...
It's not regret that I didn't lose the weight before - it's regret in a previous relationship that resulted in years of losing myself. It took this long for me to realize how I completely lost track of my own Amy Hammhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10437148391771649438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4118963732473114492.post-29806429170210958842012-02-01T11:21:00.000-06:002012-02-01T11:21:26.894-06:00Engaging Fully in Life...As certain dates come and go on the calendar, I find myself reflecting over the past year. A year ago I met someone who ultimately helped me realize what living a happy life meant.
As I was struggling to figure out what to get my husband for Valentine's/Anniversary of our first date - I had the brilliant idea to make him a calendar with photos. Who knew that exercise of selecting Amy Hammhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10437148391771649438noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4118963732473114492.post-23044693787943003622012-01-24T12:36:00.000-06:002012-01-24T12:36:20.813-06:00My own version of happily ever after....Happily ever after - fitting thought after returning from the most magical place on earth with fairy tale princesses at every corner.
But happily after what?
- After clearing the bad relationships from my life?
- After achieving a certain project at work?
- After hitting goal weight?
- After completing my first triathlon?
- After running my first marathon?
- After completing the Goofy Amy Hammhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10437148391771649438noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4118963732473114492.post-50385162433221962192012-01-19T15:53:00.000-06:002012-01-19T15:53:44.804-06:00Neglect and Final DestinationsYes - it's been a very long time since I posted anything here.
Why? Hmmm - that answer is complicated - let's just say it might offer many more postings in the near future. So I have neglected this site, struggling with pleasing everyone, frustrated by lack of inspiration, frantically searching for motivation to continue the journey.
So what have I been up to since I last posted? Amy Hammhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10437148391771649438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4118963732473114492.post-39840956913991195952011-09-07T11:57:00.000-05:002011-09-07T11:57:10.284-05:00Reflecting on my journey... a year later...Okay - so Facebook likes to show you what was on your mind a year ago by displaying your status update...
August 28, 2010 - "Cleaning out the closet today... hoping for mental clarity"
Lots of things went through my head at that moment...
Seriously? It's been a year already?
WOW! I never expected this much change in search of mental clarity.
How many times have I cleaned out my Amy Hammhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10437148391771649438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4118963732473114492.post-7108815523142183632011-07-12T14:32:00.000-05:002011-07-12T14:32:01.253-05:00A Bike and a Bulldozer...Yes - still on the recent bike injury and recovery...
Despite the success I had in 2010, right now I feel disappointed - in my life, achievement to goals, and with myself.
As I get ready to be medically released, I don't know what I expected. Knew I wouldn't be back to the way I was before the accident, but didn't expect where I am today. And I am in shock that my Amy Hammhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10437148391771649438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4118963732473114492.post-6605202412573780872011-07-08T20:23:00.001-05:002011-07-12T11:40:52.231-05:00New approach to being fearless...Sometimes my best inspiration comes 30,000 feet in the air - the best time to think and reflect.
Since the bike wreck in April and shoulder surgery in May, I've struggled with life. I've never been stopped like that, everything around me came to a stop - work, kids, friends, and love life. Well, as I write this, I'm laughing thinking those things came to a crashing halt just like that day on Amy Hammhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10437148391771649438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4118963732473114492.post-55572338988399302932011-05-16T18:37:00.000-05:002011-05-16T18:37:51.120-05:00Fearless? Me? No, not yet...Okay - this one will be interesting - mental ramblings from an airplane... Some days I'm just amazed at where my brain can wonder.
I've been stressed a little more than usual lately - and discovered that I'm still guilty of living inside my head. Unrealistic expectations have now moved on to doubt - doubting my own abilities with work, parenting, relationships, friendships, and even fitness. Amy Hammhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10437148391771649438noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4118963732473114492.post-1959474949580619542011-05-01T23:59:00.000-05:002011-05-01T23:59:22.301-05:00Resiliency requires patienceMe patient? Never... probably why I keep coming back to this topic. This must obviously be that thing I must overcome in order to find harmony in life. Yep - I'm going to learn this the hard way...
I've really struggled lately - feeling discouraged on my progress to this year's goals, overwhelmed by life's chaos, and in general, uneasy with the unpredictable. &Amy Hammhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10437148391771649438noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4118963732473114492.post-27666964975967309172011-04-11T19:46:00.000-05:002011-04-11T19:46:47.125-05:00The tortoise and the hare... my life is a fableI know it's been a while again. I could do this like confession and pray for forgiveness, but honestly, I've just lacked focus for the last few months. But, inspiration can come in the most random series of thoughts. Let's see if you can follow my mental ramblings...
I was sitting at my computer stressing about life. How a recent bicycle wreck and injury are messing up with my plans -Amy Hammhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10437148391771649438noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4118963732473114492.post-33543603562192271842011-03-23T13:43:00.000-05:002011-03-23T13:43:21.168-05:00It's like someone finally turned on the lights...I know...it's been a while since I last blogged. Life has been BUSY - and I was obviously missing inspirational writing opportunities by losing focus on the chaos of everyday. But - here's my latest mental ramblings - it's an emotional week for me - getting ready for another half marathon... I am determined to hit my goal of under 2 hours.
So... in reflecting over the past year, Amy Hammhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10437148391771649438noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4118963732473114492.post-43860743419100124502011-03-03T17:32:00.000-06:002011-03-03T17:32:14.858-06:00Whoa! I think I'm starting to get it....Balance & HarmonyI think I just had one of those moments where I realized my obstinate self is finally giving in...
This past weekend I endeavored on my 3rd Half Marathon - Cowtown in Fort Worth.
After the success in hitting a PR at White Rock in December and PR pace for the 15K in January... I set a goal for another PR (personal record for those non-runners). I wanted 10 minutes faster than White Rock - Amy Hammhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10437148391771649438noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4118963732473114492.post-17119336579538369492011-03-02T21:41:00.000-06:002011-03-02T21:41:28.892-06:00I LOVE NIKE!!!!Yep - This officially makes me a Nike Girl for life! Here's my story that was profiled on Nike Women.
In this photo: Amy Hamm: We don’t buy into the notion that you have to be brainy or a jock. You can be a superstar athlete with a master’s degree or a rocket scientist with rock-hard abs. But in Amy’s case, she really did identify more with intellectual pursuits instead of physical onesAmy Hammhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10437148391771649438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4118963732473114492.post-54934122501464039582011-02-22T15:57:00.000-06:002011-02-22T15:57:28.223-06:00A simple smile...Sometimes I get inspiration for my mental ramblings from the least likely places...a comment from a friend - and then pause for deep reflection... and inspiration to share my craziness with you!
"You haven't lost your smile at all, it's right under your nose. You just forgot it was there."
If you read my earlier post about my struggle with self-image, you may recall that the "overly dramatic" Amy Hammhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10437148391771649438noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4118963732473114492.post-52605631185551585962011-02-13T21:25:00.000-06:002011-02-13T21:25:02.601-06:00Making myself...Well - it all started with rewarding myself with new athletic clothes - something I've learned to love with the weight loss... buying all those cute capris, shorts, tops, and - the best - shoes. I've dabbled with other brands - but I'm a Nike Girl at heart. Why? Nike Attitude T-Shirts. They power my attitude for the day - make me smile - and I wear them with pride! Amy Hammhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10437148391771649438noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4118963732473114492.post-34331827602354393972011-02-11T18:57:00.000-06:002011-02-11T18:57:50.760-06:00Life with No Strings AttachedI want to revisit a topic - because it keeps rearing its ugly head at me: Self-Limiting Behavior.
Now why would I think that just because I recognized this issue and successfully overcame it in a couple of instances that I somehow have won the battle - Oh yeah...unrealistic expectations...
Behavior - in it's purest form is something that is repeated over time. I must repeat theAmy Hammhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10437148391771649438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4118963732473114492.post-75449053479027524252011-01-26T20:31:00.000-06:002011-01-26T20:31:22.586-06:00How do you rebound?Yeah, yeah.... a sports analogy from the non-sports girl.
Don't hate me - but I really don't even watch basketball.
But I started researching the philosophy behind rebounds and the role of rebounding in a game - Here are some of the things I found...
Few statistics influence the outcome of the game as do rebounding.
Rebounding is essential to winning the game.
Rebounding takes dedication.
Amy Hammhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10437148391771649438noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4118963732473114492.post-56305970088445065522011-01-17T18:22:00.000-06:002011-01-17T18:22:47.368-06:00My resolve...My resolve as I start the next book of my life - is to strive for better balance.
What? My life isn't perfect? Nooo.... far from it. With my obsessive tendencies, it was quite easy to lose focus during the weightloss journey on the things that were really important. So here I am coming clean and admiting that all is not well in my life.
"The thing that is really hard, and reallyAmy Hammhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10437148391771649438noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4118963732473114492.post-50827695612446328402011-01-11T14:31:00.000-06:002011-01-11T14:31:58.162-06:00The best present I have ever received...Was a Dr. Suess Book.... Yes, you read that right.
Not a cheesy gift, but absolutely the PERFECT present!
So which book? Oh, the Places You'll Go!
My dear friend gave this to me for Christmas and personalized each page with how I should interpret or apply the words - or just overall encouragement on my current journey.
It was a perfect gift because 2011 marks the next phase Amy Hammhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10437148391771649438noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4118963732473114492.post-84365344128951151612011-01-06T10:54:00.000-06:002011-01-06T10:54:28.449-06:00Do you really live out loud?I've heard the term "live out loud" but never really paid attention or took it to heart what it actually meant. Then I stumbled on it a couple of times in the last few months and finally understood its meaning (well - at least how I interpreted it.)
During the journey of changing my body and mind, I kept everything to myself. I still shake my head when I think about how fear can Amy Hammhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10437148391771649438noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4118963732473114492.post-17337548102438401652010-12-31T15:21:00.000-06:002010-12-31T15:21:29.942-06:002010's Final Run... Lessons I have learnedI've been contemplating the last blog for 2010 for some time. How do I summarize this year? How do I acknowledge the success while still feeling like it's not completed? How can I celebrate the successes when I know my hardest battle is ahead of me?
And then I was discouraged in this morning's gym time, I lacked the mental and emotional energy to do what I know I am able to do... struggled to Amy Hammhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10437148391771649438noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4118963732473114492.post-66406368198873080132010-12-21T21:35:00.000-06:002010-12-21T21:35:37.827-06:00Enabling your own success...Okay - lately it's been a reflective time during my journey over the past year - and I will let go of something I have held in my head for some time... This is me stepping outside of my controlled boundaries and sharing how I am really feeling.
I am codependent and an enabler. Pure and simple. It was the only way I would feel good about myself - to "take Amy Hammhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10437148391771649438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4118963732473114492.post-77096785372911418822010-12-14T06:25:00.002-06:002010-12-14T12:31:13.887-06:00Be Honest with Yourself...It's been a while since my last posting, still working through this journey of creating the person I want to be... In learning to like myself, I have to be willing to let go of enabling tendencies and confront those self-esteem issues head on. I came across an interesting concept - emotional honesty.
Emotional dishonesty is when we do and say things that are not true to what we feel Amy Hammhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10437148391771649438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4118963732473114492.post-83033904463500379382010-12-06T18:23:00.001-06:002010-12-06T20:34:28.145-06:00Can a Finish Line be the Start of Something New?Many times we think of the Finish Line as the marker of success - that all your hard work early pays off in the end. Yep - me and that success thing again - measuring my self worth by achievements.
On Sunday as I ran my 2nd Half Marathon in 4 weeks, I let this race represent more than just another finish line. Well - "let" is probably not the right word, since I self-impose things on Amy Hammhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10437148391771649438noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4118963732473114492.post-10451684363381613592010-12-03T23:09:00.002-06:002010-12-05T20:42:29.412-06:00Living Life Backwards...A friend posted this quote on her facebook recently - and brought back my own struggles and resolution to stop regretting the past.
"No one can go back and make a brand new beginning, but anyone can begin now and make a brand new ending."
Regret can be crippling on your thoughts and behaviors and is one of the biggest parts of my mental side of this journey. My first major Amy Hammhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10437148391771649438noreply@blogger.com2